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Neu oncogene expression in ovarian tumors: a quantitative study
P C Huettner1, W P Carney, S P Naber
1Department of Pathology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Massachusetts.
Summary
Most ovarian tumors overexpress the neu oncogene (also known as HER2) at the mRNA and protein levels, particularly epithelial types. Expression levels did not correlate with tumor stage or grade.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The neu oncogene, also known as HER2, plays a role in cell growth and differentiation.
- Aberrant expression of neu has been implicated in various cancers, including ovarian cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of the neu oncogene and its protein product in ovarian neoplasms.
- To evaluate the correlation between neu expression and clinicopathological features of ovarian tumors.
Main Methods:
- Slot blot analysis for neu mRNA expression.
- Capture ELISA and immunohistochemistry for neu protein product expression.
- Analysis of 57 ovarian neoplasms, 2 paraovarian leiomyosarcomas, and 8 normal ovaries.
Main Results:
- 61% of ovarian tumors overexpressed neu mRNA; none in normal ovaries or leiomyosarcomas.
- 96% of neu-overexpressing tumors were of epithelial type.
- Epithelial ovarian tumors showed significantly higher neu protein levels than germ cell, stromal tumors, or normal ovaries.
- Endometrioid ovarian carcinomas had the highest neu protein levels, while poorly differentiated carcinomas had the lowest.
- Neu expression levels (ELISA, mRNA, immunohistochemistry) did not correlate with tumor stage or histologic grade.
Conclusions:
- Capture ELISA is an effective method for quantifying the neu oncogene protein product.
- There is a strong correlation between ELISA and immunohistochemical staining for neu.
- Neu oncogene overexpression is common in epithelial ovarian tumors but lacks correlation with prognostic factors like stage or grade.